A study of local guidelines for use of an Early Warning Score System to identify patients in need of treatment in the Intensive Care Unit

Background Scientific studies suggests that transfer delays from the Emergency Department(ED) to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) increases mortality and morbidity. A modified Standardized Early Warning Scoring System called Basal Observations Score(BOS) is used in Region Sjælland to monitor vital signs of in-hospital patients. Respiratory rate, peripheral O2-saturation, systolic blood pressure, heart rate, Glasgow Coma Scale, and urinary output are included. BOS is documented on special paper forms, and on electronic white boards. The clinical guidelines for the ED states that patients with BOS>5 should preferably be treated in the ICU. The aim with this study was to evaluate the guidelines and the accordance between guidelines, and clinical practice.